Chandigarh flights to Nanded Sahib & Ayodhya on cards
He raised the request during a meeting with Union civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu held recently in the national capital.
The governor also urged the minister to restore flight services to Udaipur, Dehradun, Amritsar, and other destinations that were previously connected to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, but have since been suspended.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Chandigarh airport, Kataria said it acts as a vital aviation hub for Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
He underscored the growing demand for improved domestic and international air connectivity from the region's residents.
"Direct connectivity to destinations like Nanded Sahib, a significant pilgrimage site for Sikhs, and Ayodhya, now a prominent spiritual destination, will cater to both religious and tourism-related travel," Kataria noted. He also emphasised that boosting air links will help spur economic activity, promote trade, and support the region's development goals.
In response, minister Naidu assured that the civil aviation ministry would actively explore the proposals and work with all stakeholders, including airlines and airport authorities, to expand route networks and improve passenger amenities at the Chandigarh airport.
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